Waynesburg University will welcome alumni, staff, faculty and students alike to its annual Homecoming celebration Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3. The weekend will encompass a variety of events that invite participation from both alumni and current students.

“We want our alumni to feel special from the moment they step on campus to the last event,” said Mary Fox, event planner for the University. “For over 160 years, our alumni have been crucial to the growth of Waynesburg University. This weekend is just one of the ways we honor them."

During the two-day celebration, alumni will be invited to participate in athletic events, a reception with President and Mrs. Douglas G. Lee, a 5K run and walk, campus tours and more. Alumni will also have the opportunity to reconnect with nine academic and affinity groups, the largest number of groups present at Homecoming to date, in addition to 11 class reunions.

Current students, along with staff and faculty, will also join the celebration at athletic events and Jacketfest, where any student club or organization can host a booth.

“There are more ways than ever before for students to get involved,” said Fox. “Our alumni so often express how much they enjoy meeting current students while they are on campus.”

The University encourages alumni to reconnect with friends and network with fellow Waynesburg alumni as the campus celebrates Homecoming 2015.

Waynesburg University’s campus rang with a celebratory sound during this year’s Commencement exercises, thanks to the generosity of the Class of 2015.

The senior class gift funded the restoration of the bell that once hung in the cupola of Hanna Hall, and on Sunday, the Class of 2015 became the first class to have that bell mark their graduation in more than a century.

Cast in 1875, the bell once proclaimed each new day of learning at Waynesburg University – welcoming both men and women to an institution of higher learning that was one of the first in the nation to educate both equally. Today, Hanna Hall remains one of the two oldest buildings in America with that historic distinction.

Now on display next to Hanna Hall in Cusick Court, the bell was removed from the cupola more than a century ago because it was too heavy for the structure. Emblazoned on the bell is the Latin phrase “Pro veritate et virtute,” which translates to “For truth and courage.” A plaque will accompany the bell in its new, permanent location to explain its history, the meaning of the Latin phrase and the significance of the generosity of the class of 2015.

“The whole thing behind the bell is that it ties our history into the present day,” said Joshuah Dains, Student Senate president and a member of the senior class gift committee. “To me, this reaffirms the school's mission by returning a landmark to our campus that existed in the University’s early years and connects current students to that rich past.”

Vincent Allen Inc. Metal Restoration in Pittsburgh returned the bell to its original state by shining the bell’s metal surface and removing the grime that developed during years of storage.

“I'm extremely proud and overwhelmed by how many seniors and their families have given to make this project possible,” said Vikki Beppler, assistant director of Alumni Relations. “We’ve had more student gifts given than in years past. I'm really proud of the seniors stepping up and raising the money on their own.”

This year’s senior class gift of $8,000, which included donations from future alumni and their families, funded the entire project.

Assistant district attorney at Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office in Asheville, N.C.

An average day at work for Nicole Briggeman begins with her looking through the district court calendar of Buncombe County, N.C., and examining what type of cases she will be handling that day. She then takes notes and prepares herself for any curveballs that might be thrown her way.

As an assistant district attorney at Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office in Asheville, N.C., Briggeman handles misdemeanor and traffic cases where she negotiates pleas, dismisses cases and conducts trials. Briggeman said she encounters a variety of charges on a daily basis, such as individuals who drive while intoxicated, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia and simple assaults.

Briggeman graduated from Waynesburg University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in forensic science. Looking back on her decision to choose Waynesburg University, she realized her alma mater has aided in her transition from college to her current job as assistant district attorney.

“Waynesburg University prepared me for the workforce by showing me the value of having a small community that can support you,” said Briggeman. “Waynesburg has also helped me learn the important lesson that you can do anything and everything you put your mind to.”

Ryan Devlin, a 2007 Waynesburg University secondary English education alumnus, is one of 100 educators selected for the 2014 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Program. Devlin teaches 11th grade English and technology at Brockway Area High School in Brockway, Pa.

The PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Program rewards tech-savvy K-12 educators from across the country who incorporate digital media in the classroom to promote student engagement and achievement.

“Great schools and great teachers constantly evolve and adapt,” said Devlin, whose classroom is 100 percent paperless. “Technology is going to continue to play an increased role in both life and the work place. If we don’t teach students relevant 21st century skills, we are failing to prepare them for their future.”

The 2014 PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators will receive year-long professional development opportunities that include virtual trainings, access to premium, exclusive resources and invitations to special events.

The top 16 applicants, including Devlin, will serve as leads of the program and will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to take part in a two-day digital education summit. There, they will participate in hands-on learning, collaborate with peers and hear from leaders in digital technology.

Devlin, who has taught at Brockway Area High School for seven years, was named the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year in 2013. He was also named one of four finalists for the 2014 National Teacher of the Year award.

Devlin received his bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from Waynesburg University, where he became familiar with technology in the classroom and gained hands-on experience with modern instructional technology. Devlin also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership. He also holds teaching certificates in English (grades 7-12), business/computers (grades K-12) and library science (grades K-12).

Ryan Devlin, a 2007 Waynesburg University English education alumnus and Pennsylvania’s 2013 “Teacher of the Year,” received an even greater honor today when he was named one of the four finalists for the 2014 National Teacher of the Year Award.

Today, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced that educators from Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia are finalists for the 2014 National Teacher of the Year. The National Teacher of the Year spends a year representing educators across the country and advocating on behalf of the teaching profession.

“On behalf of all Pennsylvania citizens, I congratulate Ryan for being chosen to represent Pennsylvania at the national level,” Corbett said. “Ryan’s commitment to his students is a shining example of the thousands of Pennsylvania educators who are dedicated to ensuring that students are prepared for a bright and successful future.”

This marks the first time that an educator from Pennsylvania has made it to the final four. Devlin will enter rounds of interviews during the month of March and the winner will be announced in April. Still actively involved with his alma mater through mission trips and personal contacts, Devlin credits Waynesburg University as an integral part of his success.

“The hallmark of a good education is one that enables students’ talents to find purpose, and that is one of the many reasons why Waynesburg University is such a special place,” Devlin said. “During my time there, I was exposed to numerous educational opportunities that extended beyond the classroom and helped mold me into the man I am today.”

Devlin is an eleventh grade English and ninth through twelfth grade technology teacher at Brockway Area Junior/Senior High School in Brockway, Pa., where he has taught for seven years and serves as head of the English department.

He also serves as the school's head cross country coach and the senior high gifted education advisor. He is an active member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, National Education Association and the Brockway Area Education Association. Outside of school, he frequently speaks at state conferences and college campuses and is a cooperating teacher for Clarion University's student teaching program.

Devlin also helped write Pennsylvania's new Core Standards English Language Arts curriculum and over the years has won multiple grants for his innovative use of technology in the classroom.

"Today's children will indeed become tomorrow's leaders, so we must teach ways to find creative solutions to complex problems through collaborating with others and making the best use of technology," Devlin said.

His teaching methods include extensive use of technology in the classroom, for which he received the Keystone Technology Integrator Award in 2009. Devlin facilitates technology workshops for student teachers at regional universities and teaches summer courses at Riverview Intermediate Unit Six that highlight the newest digital resources available on the Internet.

Current and recently retired faculty members at Waynesburg University are not only proud of Ryan’s awards, but also his continued commitment to the mission of Waynesburg University and the mission of the University’s Department of Education.

“The mission of the Department of Education is to prepare teachers who embrace learning and dedicate themselves to service and leadership in the profession,” said Debra Clarke, assistant professor of education and chair of the Department of Education at Waynesburg University. “We are so proud of Ryan’s commitment to this mission and his dedication to his students.”

Devlin received his bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from Waynesburg University, where he became familiar with technology in the classroom and gained hands-on experience with modern instructional technology. Devlin also holds a master’s degree in educational leadership. He also holds teaching certificates in English (grades 7-12), business/computers (grades K-12) and library science (grades K-12).

In 2013, Devlin became the youngest nominee and recipient of the Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award. Devlin said he has known since the age of eight what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.

“I spent a lot my childhood and adolescent years daydreaming about the type of teacher I wanted to become,” he said. “Teaching seemed like the perfect outlet for my creativity, and I wanted to do something that would enable me to make a difference in the world.”

An active member in his local community, Devlin is a mentor with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, teaches vacation Bible school and is involved in several after-school programs and activities.

The National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.